The Zodiac Signs and the Zodiac
Circle – Etymology
It is already known that in science,
the etymology of terms has its roots
in the Greek names. For example,
the term zodiac derives from the
Greek words zodiakos kyklos, which
means circle of animals. In Greek,
the zodiac signs are called zodia,
due to the word “zodion” which
means little animal. The names of
the zodiac signs are chosen by the
fact that most of the signs are
represented by animals and
mythical creatures of theGreek
Mythology.
The constellations, as they were
described in Greek mythology, were
mostly god-favored (or cursed)
heroes and beasts, who received a
place in the heavens in memorial of
their deeds. They were regarded, as
semi-divine spirits, living, conscious
entities who strode across the
heavens.
Ptolemy was one of the most
influential Greek astronomers
Even the word horoscope derives
from the Greek language,
specifically the Greek compound
word “oro + scopo”, which means
“look at the hours”.
Astrologers defined horoscope as
the aspect of the planets and stars
at a given moment, such as the
moment of a person’s birth.
Greek Names of the Zodiac Signs – Historical FactsGreek Astronomers were usually
observing the sky trying to explain
the existence of stars and
constellations. Astronomy and
Astrology were born in the
Mediterranean, as the Egyptians,
the Babylonians and the Greeks
created the zodiac circle, casting
horoscopes based on the
movement and placement of the
Sun, Moon and planets. Greek
poets and astronomers linked the
planets and constellations with the
Greek mythology, naming the
zodiac signs after mythological
figures.
The Horoscopes and zodiac signs
of the astrology were organized in
the way we know them today by the
Greek astronomer and astrologer
Ptolemy, who wrote the book
“Tetrabiblos” laying the basis of the
astrological tradition used till today.
The Greeks defined the Houses,
Planets and Zodiac Signs,
rationalizing them based on their
function.
A Greek astronomer, Hipparchus,
discovered the precession of the
equinox allowing Ptolemy to adopt
the tropical coordinate system,
which is used by astrologers today.
The Greek Names of the Zodiac Signs
The Names of the
Zodiac Signs and their symbols with
the order they appear on the Zodiac
Circle Are:
Aries: the Greek name of the
zodiac Aries is Krios (Kree-ós). The
symbol of the sign is the Ram,
referring to the Greek myth of the
Golden Ram that saved Frixus and
Elli from being sacrificed to the
Gods. The myth of the Golden
Fleece also refers to the same
Golden Ram.
Taurus: the Greek name of the
zodiac Taurus is Tavros (Tá-
vros).The name of the sign refers to
the bull, therefore, the symbol of the
sign is the Bull. The Greek Name of
this sign refers to the Greek myth of
Theseus and the Minotaur, the
horrible monster that lived in the
labyrinth of King Minos in Crete.
Gemini: the Greek name of the
zodiac Gemini is Didimoi (Deé-
dee-mee). The symbol of this sign
are the Twin brothers. The name of
Gemini refers to the Greek
mythology and the myth of Castor
and Polydeuces (Pollux in latin).
Castor and Pollux were the sons of
Zeus and Leda, and brothers of
Helen of Troy.
Cancer: the Greek name of the
zodiac Cancer is Karkinos (Kar-
keé-nos). The symbol of the sign is
the crab. There are numerous
theories about this sign and the
reasons why its name was chosen,
but many astrologers associate it
with the myth of Hercules and the
Lerna Hydra, a horrible water snake
with twelve heads
Leo: the Greek name of the zodiac
Leo is Leon (Lé-on). The symbol of
the sign is the Lion, referring to the
myth of Hercules and the Lion of
Erymanthes, one of the first
impossible tasks he had to fulfil.
Virgo: the Greek name of the
zodiac Virgo is Parthenos (Pa-rthé-
nos). The symbol of the sign is the
maiden, since Parthenos in Greek
means Virgin. According to the
myth, the Greek name of the zodiac
sign refers to Persephone,
Goddess’ Demeter daughter, who
was sent to the Hades to marry the
King of the Underworld.
Libra: the Greek name of the
zodiac Libra is Zygos (Zee-gós).
The symbol of the sign is the golden
scale that is associated with justice,
equity and balance. It was given by
the Greeks, who considered Justice
a deity.
Scorpio: the Greek name of the
zodiac Scorpio is Skorpios (Sko-
rpee-ós): The symbol of the sign is
the Scorpio, associated with the
myth of Orion. According to this
Greek myth, Gaia had sent a
scorpio to sting Orion, because he
was boasting that he is too
powerful. Indeed, the constellations
of Scorpio and Orion seem to chase
each other in the planetary moves.
Sagittarius: the Greek name of the
zodiac Sagittarius is Toksotis (To-
ksó-tees). The symbol of the
Sagittarius is the archer. However, if
you look more carefully, you will see
that the archer is the Centaur, the
Greek mythological figure of half
man – half horse.
Capricorn: the Greek name of the
zodiac Capricorn is Aigokeros (E-
gó-ke-ros). Capricorn is symbolized
by the sea god with the head and
half the body of a goat, and the tail
of a fish. According to the
astrologers, this sign owes its name
and symbol to the goat Amaltheia
that took care of the newly born
God Zeus, and nursed him so
lovingly in order to save him from
his father Cronus.
Aquarius: the Greek name of the
zodiac Aquarius is Ydrohoos (Ee-
dro-hóos). The symbol of Aquarius
is a young man pouring water out of
a jug. It refers to the myth of
Ganymedes, the young lover and
protegee of Zeus, who was serving
the Gods nectar.
Pisces: the Greek name of the
zodiac Pisces is Ihtheis (Ee-
htheés). The Pisces are symbolized
by the two fish in different
directions. The sign is associated
with the myth of Aphrodite and her
son Eros, who dived into the sea
and took the forms of twin fish,
trying to save themselves from the
Typhoon, a monster that wanted to
harm the Gods.